IND vs ENG 2025: Why are Rinku Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy not playing 2nd T20I against England 2025?

Suryakumar Yadav asks Englishmen to bat first in Chennai as well

Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and invited England to bat first in the second T20I at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday, January 25. The decision to bowl first in the first T20I at the Eden Gardens worked wonders for India and they have opted to continue with the same ploy. India will look to double their lead with a win at the iconic venue.

Suryakumar said at the toss that dew could play a major role in the second innings and make things easier for the batters.

India continue to bench Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami continues to find himself on the bench, raising doubts over his fitness. Harshit Rana is the other seamer who has to wait for his opportunity. Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released a statement earlier in the day, to reveal the extent of the injuries faced by Rinku Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Rinku has been ruled out of the second and third T20Is after sustaining low back spasm in the first game. Meanwhile, Reddy has been ruled out of the series after suffering a side strain injury in the practice session on the eve of the second T20I. All-rounders Shivam Dube and Ramandeep Singh are set to join the side before the Rajkot encounter.

"We'll look to bowl first. Looks a good track, there was a little bit of dew yesterday, hoping the wicket will be better in the evening. It looks good, it looks hard, hope it stays the same. We want to stick to the basics and have the same approach we had in the last game in all the departments. Really looking forward to the game. (Fielding) That's one thing which brings everyone together, brings a lot of energy and positivity. Nitish Kumar is ruled out, Rinku will recover in one or two games. We have Washington Sundar, local boy and Dhruv Jurel in place of Rinku," Suryakumar said at the toss.

Jos Buttler hopes for a better all-round performance

England captain Jos Buttler admitted that he would have also bowled first had he won the toss. He hoped for a better all-round performance from his side after the shocker in the opening game in Kolkata.

"We would have bowled first as well. Same plans, just got to do better. Each game is an opportunity, the guys are relaxed and looking forward to tonight. In all areas, we always try to improve. Same game plans, just do better. Assess conditions quickly, try and communicate. Looks a little bit different than sometimes here. Hopefully it'll be a good wicket and a good match. Bethell is unwell, Jamie Smith comes in for his debut. Brydon Carse replaces Gus Atkinson," Buttler said.

India vs England Playing 11 for 2nd T20I

India: Sanju Samson (w), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy

England: Ben Duckett, Philip Salt (w), Jos Buttler (c), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Smith, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood